How-To Mock-Up A Quilt Layout In Seconds

Hello, friends!

As quilters + creative people we tend to be are very visual. Sometimes it is hard for me to get a full grasp on what my finished project is going to look like (and let's be honest, the finished product is the best!). If you follow me over on Instagram or Facebook, you've probably seen me mock-up a quilt layout using my iPhone. I've found it's the best way to take a step back and look at fabric selection & balance without having all of your quilt blocks sewn...and it only takes a few seconds! I like to use the phone/tablet application called PicFrame -- it's available for purchase on both iTunes & Google Play. Here's how I do it:

First, you'll need to start with a square image of a quilt block or set of blocks. For this #ScrappyTripAlong sample I've been working on & sharing over on Instagram I chose to use 4 blocks and arranged them in a traditional Trip Around the World layout. It's important that you have a square image -- I like to take my picture from straight above the block(s) & then crop down to a square shape. It may take some practice to line things up.

Next open your PicFrame App and choose the 3x3 block layout on the last page (there are LOTS of mosaic templates to choose from!). 

Tap your finer on the first grayed out square in the top lefthand corner. 

Choose "Camera Roll".

Add the square image of your quilt block(s).

Add the same block(s) in all 9 squares. 

Tap your finger on the "Style" Tool to get rid of the white grid lines. 

Side the "Width" tool all the way to the left. 

To save your new image, tap your finger on the "Share" tool. 

Then tap on "Save".

And you are done -- it's so super simple! 

It's fun to play around with different block layout & sizes, too. 

Give a try and let me know what you think!

Happy Sewing, Megan 

Oh Scrap! | Scrappy Chain Quilt Layout Options

Hello, again!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all your kind words on social media, e-mail, and right here on the blog regarding yesterday's tutorial! Spreading the love of sewing & quilting as always been my goal and it makes my heart sing when others get just as excited about a new quilt as I do. :) 

As promised, today I'm suggesting a few basic layout options for your blocks in four basic square designs. Remember that this is just a guideline to start with, feel free to adapt your layout however YOU like! Let's get started.

3 Blocks x 3 Blocks | 32" x 32"

For this layout you'll need 5 BLOCK As & 4 BLOCK Bs

5 Blocks x 5 Blocks | 53" x 53"

For this layout you'll need 13 BLOCK As & 12 BLOCK Bs

7 Blocks x 7 Blocks | 74" x 74"

For this layout you'll need 25 BLOCK As & 24 BLOCK Bs

9 Blocks x 9 Blocks | 95" x 95"

For this layout you'll need 41 BLOCK As & 40 BLOCK Bs

Alright, now let's really have some fun! I put together 3 alternate ways to put the blocks together. I think you'll see that with a little creativity and turning on the blocks, you can quickly make all new designs!

I especially like the first alternate layout option myself. Don't be afraid to turn your quilt into your own unique design!

Now get busting those scraps. Don't forget to share your progress on social media using #ohscrap, #scrappychain, and #canoeridgecreations.

Happy Sewing!
Megan

Oh Scrap! | Scrappy Chain Tutorial

Hello, friends!

We recently made a move (for Brandon's job) about 200 miles south of where we'd been living, now to the middle of Iowa. In the 3 weeks we had to pack everything and move, I made it a point to get my sewing room picked up and (more importantly!) organized. With that came dealing with my scraps. I'll admit, I have a love/hate relationship with scraps. Most of that hate came from not having all the scraps in one place & especially from them not being organized. When we actually made the move I had 3 -- yes THREE -- large plastic totes FULL of scraps. What the what?! It just proved that my scraps are out.of.control. With all that being said, I'm on a mission to use up my scraps!

So I officially welcome you to a new blog series called Oh Scrap! I'll be sharing different tutorials, tips & tricks all about -- you guessed it -- SCRAPS. I sure hope you'll join along -- please share your scrap love using #ohscrap on social media so we can all cheer each other on!

Now fast forward to this past week, I won a scrap bundle from 1canoe2 on Instagram. Yay, even more scraps! I met Beth at this past Quilt Market in Minneapolis and I love, love, LOVE their new collection, Tucker Prairie, with Moda Fabrics. I mean buy all the fabric, make all the things kind of love. So naturally, I was beyond thrilled when the package arrived in the mail. You may have seen my picture I shared on Instagram & Facebook. 

That's when the Scrappy Chain design was born -- I loved it so much that I decided to put together a tutorial for you all! This is a fast & easy way to bust through some scraps and have fun along the way. Let's get started!

For this quilt, you'll need:

- Background Fabric

- Accent Fabric

- Assorted Scraps (at least 2" square)

This quilt uses two different block designs, we are going to call them Block A & Block B. First up, let's look at Block A.

For BLOCK A, you'll need:

- 33 scrappy squares, each measuring 2" x 2"

- 12 accent fabric squares, each measuring 2" x 2"

- 4 background fabric squares, each measuring 2" x 2"

Layout your block using the flowing diagram as a guide, first sewing your squares into rows. Then the rows into a finished BLOCK A. Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance & press seams as desired. With something like this, I prefer to press my seams in alternating directions. It makes for nested seams & perfectly matching points. 

Finished BLOCK A measures 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" (unfinished 11" x 11").

For BLOCK B, you'll need:

- 4 scrappy squares, each measuring 2" x 2"

- 8 accent fabric squares, each measuring 2" x 2"

- 2 background fabric rectangles, each measuring 2" x 5"

- 2 background fabric rectangles, each measuring 2" x 8"

- 1 background fabric rectangle, measuring 5" x 11"

Layout your block using the flowing diagram as a guide, first sewing your pieces into rows. Then the rows into a finished BLOCK B. Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance & press seams as desired.

Finished BLOCK B measures 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" (unfinished 11" x 11").

The overall layout of the quilt alternates between these two blocks -- Block A & Block B. Pretty easy, huh?

I've already whipped up a few blocks and am loving the process so far! Want in on a little secret that I like to use when starting a new project? Finish a block (or in this case two), take a picture of them using your phone, and then use a mosaic app to get a sneak peek on what the final layout is going to look like -- I use PicFrame on my iPhone! 

Now let's talk layouts & size. I'll be back tomorrow with a few images and cutting requirements for several different sizes -- mini quilt on up! -- but ultimately, it's up to you. I hope you find this design easy to adapt to what ever fabric scraps (or stash!) you want. 

Please share, share, SHARE your progress pictures -- scrap/fabric pulls, cutting, whatever you like! -- using #ohscrap, #scrappychain, and #canoeridgecreations. Let's cheer each other on and bust through some scraps!

xoxo, Megan 

Flyin' Together Pillow | A Free Tutorial

Hello, friends!

I don't know about you, but here in Minnesota this winter seems to keep dragging on -- cold, COLD temperatures and so much snow! So when Amy Ellis of Amy's Creative Side asked me to participate in the Pillow Collective I jumped at the chance to make a cheery pillow to brighten up this winter. I decided to use the 2014 Pantone Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid, as an inspiration for this project -- playing with a new color is always fun! I used 5 prints for Alison Glass' Sunprints line in a variety of beautiful purples and paired them with a crisp, white solid cotton. 

   

The finished pillow measures 24" x 24" -- I like my pillows BIG! :) 

You can find a free downloadable tutorial for this pillow right here! Pick your favorite colors or mix and match a few and make a pillow of you own. Don't forget to share your finished pillows in the Canoe Ridge Creations Flickr group and using #canoeridgecreations on Instagram & Twitter!

xo, Megan 

Check out all the other great pillow tutorials, too!

Amy Ellis

April Rosenthal

Lisa Calle

Natalia Bonner

Amanda Woodruff

Heather Valentine

Amy Smart

Vanessa Christenson

Maureen Cracknell

Amanda Jean Nyberg

Dana Bolyard

Christina Lane

Heather Bostic

Audrie Bidwell

Amanda Herring

A Block Tutorial | Granny's Front Porch

A few weeks ago I packed up my sewing machine + a few projects and headed over to my grandparent's farm in small town Iowa -- only a few miles from my hometown. My grandmother is one of the reasons I started sewing + quilting at such a young age and I treasure any chance we get to spend an afternoon together. This particular afternoon she was working on quilt for one of my cousins (there are 25 & counting!) using a traditional log cabin + half square triangle block. We got to playing around with different block layouts and really feel in love with this one -- it really has a simple + modern feel! I've decided to simplify the block into one 12" x 12" finished block called Granny's Front Porch. 

The fabric requirements & tutorial below are for one block only, but I've also included a 5 x 5 block layout to show you how the blocks interact together. I love the quilt pattern that emerges using this one block and only two fabrics -- I'll be making a big version for myself soon!

Fabric Requirements + Cutting Instructions//

Main Fabric | teal
          cut: 2 squares, 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"; 1 rectangle, 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"; 2 squares, 4" x 4"; 8 squares, 2" x 2" 

Background Fabric | white

          cut: 2 squares, 4" x 4"; 8 rectangles, 2" x 3 1/2"; 4 rectangles, 2" x 5"

Sewing//

Step One.
Draw a diagonal line, from corner to corner, on the wrong side of two 4" background squares.

Step Two.
Layer one marked 4" background square and one 4" main fabric square, right sides together. Sew 1/4" on each side of the line. Cut on the line. Press seams open. This makes 2 half square triangles. Trim half square triangles to 3 1/2" square. Repeat to the remaining background & main fabric pair, to make 4 half square triangles. 



Step Three. 
Draw a diagonal line, from corner to corner, on the wrong side of eight 2" main fabric squares.

Step Four.
Layer one marked 2" main fabric square and one 2" x 3 1/2" background rectangle. Make sure the line runs from the upper right corner to lower left corner. Sew on the marked line. Trim corner, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. Press seam towards the main fabric.




Step Five.
Repeat step four to the other side, making sure the line runs from upper left corner to lower right corner.




Step Six. 
Repeat steps 4-5 to three 2" x 3 1/2" background rectangles, making a total of four flying geese units. Please note: the diagram above does not show the seam allowance for the flying geese block.



Block Layout// 

Step One. 
Layout the block, using the diagram below. Sew the block together using a 1/4" seam allowance, press seams open.

Finished block measures 12" x 12". 

5 x 5 block layout

If you use this block tutorial please share it in the Canoe Ridge Creations Flickr group and on Instagram & Twitter using #canoeridgecreations. 

xo, Megan.

Straight-line Quilting | Tips + Techniques

So you've picked a quilt pattern, pulled the perfect fabrics, mastered the 1/4" seam allowance, completed a quilt top, and layered + basted your project, now what? Today I'm going to share some helpful straight-line quilting tips & techniques so that you can finish any quilt project (large or small) on your home machine. 

Straight-line quilting is my favorite. If you've been a reader for any amount of time, you've probably already figured that out. It gives such a fresh & modern feel and can be used in so many different projects and patterns. Straight-line quilting also creates a great texture, especially when washed --- yummy! Plus there's something so enjoyable + soothing about stitching straight-lines, it's so therapeutic!

DS Picnic + Fairgrounds Quilt

one // a good baste

Making sure your quilt or project is properly basted is one of the key elements to a successful & enjoyable quilting experience, not just straight-line quilting! I prefer to spray baste all of my quilts using 505 Spray for two reasons: [1] it's faster than pin basting, which equals more quilting & sewing time! and [2] i've found that it eliminates shifting when quilting. I recommend using a spray baste product on a hard + washable surface (ie. the kitchen floor) because it does result in a little leftover residue, nothing a little warm water & soap can't handle! Also make sure you are in a well ventilated area -- open a window! 

Firefly Quilt & Tutorial

two // new needle

I like to start every new sewing & quilting project with a new needle and recommend you do too! I use a Schmetz Universal Needle size 80/12 for all of my piecing and quilting. Find a needle that works for you & your machine and then stick with it. 

XO Quilt & Tutorial

three // walking foot

A walking foot is a must have -- I wouldn't straight-line quilt without one! A walking foot has feed dogs that, along with machine's lower feed dogs, help evenly pull the quilt through the sewing machine. Check with your specific machine dealer & manual for more information on a walking foot.

Granny Square Quilt

four // “needle-down” position

If your sewing machine has a "needle-down" position, use it! This setting makes sure the needle stops in the "needle-down" position every time you take your foot off the pedal. It really helps keep a straight-line every time you need to start & stop quilting -- ie. re-adjusting & thread change.

His + Her Christmas Stockings

five // thread

Thread selection can really effect your straight-line quilting results. I like to use 50 wt. Aurifil thread in all of my sewing & quilting projects. It's a fine, cotton thread that quilts up wonderfully -- I really like how it blends into the fabric. Keep in mind each sewing machine is different, so the thread that works on my machine may not work as well on yours. Play around with a few different types + brands until you find a thread you like!

x and + Quilt

six // slow & steady

This step is key -- slow & steady wins the race. I've found that a slow and steady pace helps to keep the quilting lines straight and even.  Remember to enjoy the process of quilting, each and every step!

241 Tote

seven // marking
If you aren't comfortable quilting straight-lines without a guide, don't worry! Products like FriXion pens or even painters tape can help make marking your project fast and easy. Once you get going, try using the edge of your walking foot as a guide.

I hope that you find these straight-line quilting tips & techniques helpful. Remember that it's not about achieving "perfect" straight lines -- there's no such thing! It's all about enjoying the process, trying new things, and feeling confident & enjoying your talent. 

xo, Megan